3/5/13

I have seen quite a number of "glass houses", but never one like this!!! Can you imagine living in such a thing? Where everyone can see exactly what you are doing-all the time. But, it a way, we already do. God sees every single thing we not only do, but say, think or feel. He knows things about us that even we do not understand. And the world around us knows more than you think to!!! Last night I went to weight watchers (59.8 lbs. so far) and we were talking to a friend of the family there named Sue. When I said that I was doing some walking around the complex; she piped in to say she already knew about it--People had told her!!! So, we don't operate in a vacuum, the world knows who you are and what you do!!! A couple of portions of Scripture came to my mind...

Matthew, Chapter 5

14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. 15Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.16Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Philippians, Chapter 2

12 So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputes, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, 16 holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain.

Like I said at the beginning, I have seen "glass houses" before, just not elevated ones. Humm, I guess this describes what being a genuine Christian must be like!!! Only one thing bothers me though-- Where is the toilet?????

Exo
15:1 Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Yahweh,
and said, "I will sing to Yahweh, for he has triumphed
gloriously. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.

Exo
15:2 Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation. This
is my God, and I will praise him; my father's God, and I will exalt
him.

Exo
15:3 Yahweh is a man of war. Yahweh is his name.

Exo
15:4 He has cast Pharaoh's chariots and his army into the sea. His
chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea.

Exo
15:5 The deeps cover them. They went down into the depths like a
stone.

Exo
15:6 Your right hand, Yahweh, is glorious in power. Your right hand,
Yahweh, dashes the enemy in pieces.

Exo
15:7 In the greatness of your excellency, you overthrow those who
rise up against you. You send forth your wrath. It consumes them as
stubble.

Exo
15:8 With the blast of your nostrils, the waters were piled up. The
floods stood upright as a heap. The deeps were congealed in the heart
of the sea.

Exo
15:9 The enemy said, 'I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide
the spoil. My desire shall be satisfied on them. I will draw my
sword, my hand shall destroy them.'

Exo
15:10 You blew with your wind. The sea covered them. They sank like
lead in the mighty waters.

Exo
15:11 Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods? Who is like you,
glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Exo
15:12 You stretched out your right hand. The earth swallowed them.

Exo
15:13 "You, in your loving kindness, have led the people that
you have redeemed. You have guided them in your strength to your holy
habitation.

Exo
15:14 The peoples have heard. They tremble. Pangs have taken hold on
the inhabitants of Philistia.

Exo
15:15 Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed. Trembling takes hold of
the mighty men of Moab. All the inhabitants of Canaan are melted
away.

Exo
15:16 Terror and dread falls on them. By the greatness of your arm
they are as still as a stone-- until your people pass over, Yahweh,
until the people pass over who you have purchased.

Exo
15:17 You shall bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of
your inheritance, the place, Yahweh, which you have made for yourself
to dwell in; the sanctuary, Lord, which your hands have established.

Exo
15:18 Yahweh shall reign forever and ever."

Exo
15:19 For the horses of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with
his horsemen into the sea, and Yahweh brought back the waters of the
sea on them; but the children of Israel walked on dry land in the
midst of the sea.

Exo
15:20 Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine
in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines
and with dances.

Exo
15:21 Miriam answered them, "Sing to Yahweh, for he has
triumphed gloriously. The horse and his rider he has thrown into the
sea."

Exo
15:22 Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out
into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the
wilderness, and found no water.

Exo
15:23 When they came to Marah, they couldn't drink from the waters
of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore its name was called Marah.

Exo
15:24 The people murmured against Moses, saying, "What shall we
drink?"

Exo
15:25 Then he cried to Yahweh. Yahweh showed him a tree, and he
threw it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There he
made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there he tested them;

Exo
15:26 and he said, "If you will diligently listen to the voice
of Yahweh your God, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and
will pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I
will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the
Egyptians; for I am Yahweh who heals you."

Exo
15:27 They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water,
and seventy palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

Mar. 5, 6

Mark 5

Mar 5:1 They came to
the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

Mar 5:2 When he had
come out of the boat, immediately a man with an unclean spirit met
him out of the tombs.

Mar 5:3 He lived in the
tombs. Nobody could bind him any more, not even with chains,

Mar 5:4 because he had
been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been
torn apart by him, and the fetters broken in pieces. Nobody had the
strength to tame him.

Mar 5:5 Always, night
and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and
cutting himself with stones.

Mar 5:6 When he saw
Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed down to him,

Mar 5:7 and crying out
with a loud voice, he said, "What have I to do with you, Jesus,
you Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, don't torment me."

Mar 5:8 For he said to
him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!"

Mar 5:9 He asked him,
"What is your name?" He said to him, "My name is
Legion, for we are many."

Mar 5:10 He begged him
much that he would not send them away out of the country.

Mar 5:11 Now on the
mountainside there was a great herd of pigs feeding.

Mar 5:12 All the demons
begged him, saying, "Send us into the pigs, that we may enter
into them."

Mar 5:13 At once Jesus
gave them permission. The unclean spirits came out and entered into
the pigs. The herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank
into the sea, and they were drowned in the sea.

Mar 5:14 Those who fed
them fled, and told it in the city and in the country. The people
came to see what it was that had happened.

Mar 5:15 They came to
Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed,
and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and they were
afraid.

Mar 5:16 Those who saw
it declared to them how it happened to him who was possessed by
demons, and about the pigs.

Mar 5:17 They began to
beg him to depart from their region.

Mar 5:18 As he was
entering into the boat, he who had been possessed by demons begged
him that he might be with him.

Mar 5:19 He didn't
allow him, but said to him, "Go to your house, to your friends,
and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he
had mercy on you."

Mar 5:20 He went his
way, and began to proclaim in Decapolis how Jesus had done great
things for him, and everyone marveled.

Mar 5:21 When Jesus had
crossed back over in the boat to the other side, a great multitude
was gathered to him; and he was by the sea.

Mar 5:22 Behold, one of
the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came; and seeing him, he
fell at his feet,

Mar 5:23 and begged him
much, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death.
Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made healthy,
and live."

Mar 5:24 He went with
him, and a great multitude followed him, and they pressed upon him on
all sides.

Mar 5:25 A certain
woman, who had an issue of blood for twelve years,

Mar 5:26 and had
suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she
had, and was no better, but rather grew worse,

Mar 5:27 having heard
the things concerning Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd, and
touched his clothes.

Mar 5:28 For she said,
"If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well."

Mar 5:29 Immediately
the flow of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she
was healed of her affliction.

Mar 5:30 Immediately
Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd, and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"

Mar 5:31 His disciples
said to him, "You see the multitude pressing against you, and
you say, 'Who touched me?' "

Mar 5:32 He looked
around to see her who had done this thing.

Mar 5:33 But the woman,
fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and
fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

Mar 5:34 He said to
her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and
be cured of your disease."

Mar 5:35 While he was
still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler's house saying,
"Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?"

Mar 5:36 But Jesus,
when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of
the synagogue, "Don't be afraid, only believe."

Mar 5:37 He allowed no
one to follow him, except Peter, James, and John the brother of
James.

Mar 5:38 He came to the
synagogue ruler's house, and he saw an uproar, weeping, and great
wailing.

Mar 5:39 When he had
entered in, he said to them, "Why do you make an uproar and
weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep."

Mar 5:40 They ridiculed
him. But he, having put them all out, took the father of the child,
her mother, and those who were with him, and went in where the child
was lying.

Mar 5:41 Taking the
child by the hand, he said to her, "Talitha cumi!" which
means, being interpreted, "Girl, I tell you, get up!"

Mar 5:42 Immediately
the girl rose up and walked, for she was twelve years old. They were
amazed with great amazement.

Mar 5:43 He strictly
ordered them that no one should know this, and commanded that
something should be given to her to eat.

A war for heroes

When we’re tired, bone tired and wishing there was some medicine we could take that would let us sleep for a thousand years, or at least until the war was over, we’re tempted to doubt Paul’s word. He says in 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man." But that’s just it, when we’re weary we either don’t believe that or we don’t care if it’s true. Mostly we tend to doubt it—our temptation is that bit different. At least we tend to think that when we compare ourselves with the mass of people, though we know there are some whose furnace is ten times hotter than ours. (But they live in Third World countries, don’t they?)

But Paul was sure that the temptations we experience have been experienced by others before us and are being experienced at this very moment. Nothing has happened to us, he goes on to say, that must take us away from God for God wouldn’t permit a temptation about which we could do nothing. But his first remark is that our temptations are the common experience of our comrades. Everywhere he looked as he traveled through the world he saw earnest brothers and sisters putting on their armor to engage in war. War with an enemy that gives no quarter though it takes many as slaves! And it’s the sight of these cheerfully serious people that lifts our spirits for the battle. "Here," she says, as we fumble with nervous fingers to buckle something on, "let me help you." Alone with the noise of battle around us, alone and cut off from the main body we would have a hard time of it but shoulder to shoulder with people whose strength and heroism is disguised by their appearance we’re made braver.

Nevertheless this is war! Real war! War against an enemy that seeks us out, meaning not just to harm us but to end us. Meaning not just to end us but to end all those we love and could learn to love. Take away the reality of this war and we face temptation unprepared for the Lord Jesus has taught us that evil is a world spirit that would sift us as wheat and destroy us. We must allow no one to make us tremble in slavish fear as if the victory is not with us in the Christ but we should turn from that speech that makes it appear that sin should be shrugged at as if it were not a killing power. John Bunyan helps us here when he tells us how Christian met Apollyon, the destroyer on the road to the Heavenly City.

Apollyon claims that Christian is his unfaithful servant and Christian agrees. No more would he serve Apollyon for he had given his life over to a young Prince whose government, company, country and service was better than all that Apollyon stood for. After some debate Apollyon "broke out into a grievous rage, saying, I am an enemy to this Prince; I hate his person, his laws and people; I am come out on purpose to withstand thee."

Christian replied, "Apollyon. Beware what you do; for I am in the king’s highway, the way of holiness; therefore take heed to yourself."

Then Apollyon straddled quite over the whole breadth of the way, and said, "I am void of fear in this matter: prepare thyself to die; for I swear by my infernal den, that thou shalt go no further; here will I spill thy soul."

Those who sign up for engagement in this war, in the company of this Prince have purposed to engage in a war that’s for heroes. Yes, yes, I know how corny that sounds to those who have not yet seen the reality of the world through the lens of the cross of Christ. Ignoring the sneers and jeers we still know who the salt of the earth is. Of some of our heroic mothers and fathers Hebrews 11:38 says, "the world was not worthy of them." This is a world and a war for heroes.

"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"
They Beheld His Majesty (17:1-9)INTRODUCTION
1. What a blessing it must have been, spending time with Christ during
His earthly ministry...
a. To hear His teaching, spoken with the voice of authority - Mt 7:
28-29
b. To witness His miracles, which manifested His glory - Jn 2:11
2. Among those blessed to be with Jesus, three men especially so:
Peter, James and John...
a. They accompanied Jesus on the mount of transfiguration - Mt 17:
1-2
b. Peter would later write of that experience on the mount - 2Pe 1:
16-18
1) He says they were "eyewitnesses of His majesty"
2) That Jesus received "honor and glory" from God the Father
-- What an experience this must have been for these three fishermen
from Galilee!
3. The setting that led up to this event was as follows...
a. Jesus had just made two amazing statements:
1) He would come in glory and reward each one according to his
works - Mt 16:27
2) As supporting evidence, some would not taste death before they
saw...
a) "the Son of Man coming in His kingdom" - Mt 16:28
b) "the kingdom of God come with power" - Mk 9:1
c) "the kingdom of God" - Lk 9:27
b. The gospel writers then connect these sayings with the event
about to occur:
1) Matthew and Mark record "and after six days..." - Mk 17:1;
Mk 9:2
2) Luke writes "about eight days" ("the Jewish equivalent of
`about a week later'." - Wiersbe) - Lk 9:28
3) Luke adds "after these sayings", clearly tying the event to
what had just been said
[What happened on the mount? Simply put, "They Beheld His Majesty".
What was the significance of this event? To answer this question,
let's take a closer look and note first of all..]
I. THEY BEHELD THE MAJESTY OF HIS PERSONA. EVIDENCED BY HIS TRANSFIGURATION...
1. He was "transfigured" - Mt 17:2; Mk 9:2
a. Gr.., metamorphoo, met-am-or-fo'-o
b. Meaning to change, transfigure, transform
2. This change affected His face and clothing
a. His face shone like the sun - Mt 17:2 (Luke says the
appearance of His face was altered - Lk 9:29)
b. His clothes became as white as the light - Mt 17:2
1) Shining, exceedingly white, like snow, more than any
launderer can whiten them - Mk 9:3
2) White and glistening - Lk 9:29
-- Peter later wrote that what he saw was His "majesty" (2Pe 1:
16); the effulgence of His glory likely represented His
deity as the Son of God - cf. He 1:1-3B. EVIDENCED BY THE PRESENCE OF MOSES AND ELIJAH...
1. They were talking with Jesus - Mt 17:3; Mk 9:4
a. They also appeared in glory - Lk 9:31a
b. Discussing with Jesus about His coming death in Jerusalem
- Lk 9:31b
c. Peter, James, and John had been sleeping, but awoke to see
Jesus in His glory, and talking with Moses and Elijah - Lk 9:32
d. Moses and Elijah then began to depart - Lk 9:33
2. That Moses and Elijah would appear with Jesus was not lost on
Peter - Mt 17:4
a. Moses and Elijah were the epitome of the Law and the
Prophets
b. Peter wanted to build three tabernacles, one each for
Jesus, Moses and Elijah
-- Jesus had evidently been elevated to the same level as Moses
and Elijah in Peter's mind!
[But Peter was soon to learn that Jesus was above Moses and Elijah,
especially in regards to His authority! As we continue, therefore, we
note that...]
II. THEY BEHELD THE MAJESTY OF HIS COMING KINGDOMA. EVIDENCED BY THE VOICE FROM HEAVEN...
1. While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed
them - Mt 17:5
2. Peter, James, and John, fearfully entered the cloud - Lk 9:34
3. A voice came out of the cloud: "This is My beloved Son, in
whom I am well pleased, Hear Him!" - Mt 17:5; cf. 3:16-17
a. This terrified the disciples - Mt 17:6
b. Jesus then sought to comfort them - Mt 17:7
4. The command, "Hear Him!"...
a. Implies that God would begin to speak through His Son, not
the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) - cf. He 1:1-2
b. That the rule and reign of God would be exercised through
His Son, as He would be given all authority in heaven and
earth - cf. Mt 28:18
5. Of course, this rule and reign (i.e., Christ's kingdom) would
begin after Christ suffered (i.e., His death) and entered into
glory (i.e., His ascension) - cf. Lk 24:26
a. Which explains why He told them to tell no one the vision
until after His resurrection - Mt 17:9
b. What they had witnessed was a foretaste, a foreshadowing of
His coming glory and rule in His kingdom!
B. EVIDENCED BY THE ABSENCE OF MOSES AND ELIJAH...
1. After hearing the voice, and lifting up their eyes, only Jesus
was present - Mt 17:8; Mk 9:8
2. Perhaps symbolizing what the voice clearly declared: that
Jesus was the one they were to hear, not Moses and Elijah who
likely represented the Law and the Prophets
CONCLUSION
1. Truly "They Beheld His Majesty"...
a. They beheld the majesty of His person
1) Transfigured before them
2) Exalted even above Moses and Elijah
b. They beheld the majesty of His coming kingdom
1) Acknowledged from heaven as God's beloved Son
2) The One whom all should heed, for all authority would be given
to Him
2. What is the significance of this event?
a. It may be the fulfillment Jesus' statement recorded in Mt 16:28;
Mk 9:1; Lk 9:27
1) That some would see the Son of Man "coming" in His kingdom
2) That some would see the kingdom of God "present" with power
3) That some would see the kingdom of God (i.e., His rule or
reign)
b. If such is the case, what they saw was a foretaste of His kingdom
or rule...
1) Which would not be fully exercised until after His death and
resurrection - cf. Ep 1:20-23; 1Pe 3:22
2) Which would include that day in which He will judge the world!
- cf. Ac 17:30-31; Mt 16:27
3. In any case, all of the events at the mount contributed to giving
Jesus what Peter later described as "honor" and "glory" from the
Father - 2Pe 1:17
a. The glorious transfiguration of Christ
b. The presence (and their subsequent absence) of Moses and Elijah
c. The voice from heaven, acknowledging Christ as God's Son
4. What does God desire of us today?
a. Not tabernacles or temples erected in the memory of His Son
b. But for us to simply obey what God said at the mount: "Hear Him!"
If we desire to add to the honor and glory that Jesus so richly
deserves, and to one day behold His majesty in heaven, then let be
careful to heed what He himself said regarding His authority:
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go
therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
- Mt 28:18-20